Britain deployed army personnel, rubber dinghies and a military helicopter on Sunday to rescue people trapped by floods that have deluged parts of the country in the wake of Storm Desmond.

Thousands of homes and business were affected by the heavy rains and strong winds that battered Britain over the weekend, with one death reported in London after a man was blown into the path of a bus, police said.

"The army has been mobilised to help those affected by Storm Desmond and floods. A COBRA meeting is happening to ensure everything is done," Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted, referring to the government's emergency response committee.

In northwest England, towns and villages were flooded, with the water reaching waist height in some places.

Some residents trudged through the waters carrying their possessions, including pets, while others were helped on to dinghies and even a canoe crewed by volunteers.

Rescue workers pull a boat filled with residents along a flooded street in Carlisle. [Phil Noble/Reuters]

A soldier carries a woman from a flooded house in Carlisle. [Phil Noble/Reuters]